Shocking coronavirus simulation shows how infected shopper can cough cloud of deadly droplets across TWO supermarket aisles – with bug hanging in the air for ‘several minutes’
- Scientists in Finland all run computer tests to see how coronavirus spreads
- Experts from three different bodies show disease can spread across two aisles
- Even in a ventilated store, Covid-19 germs can linger for minutes, experts say
Scientists have put together a shocking video that shows how deadly coronavirus droplets can spread across two supermarket aisles and infect shoppers, with the bug hanging in the air for ‘several minutes.
Experts from Aalto University in Finland have put together an animation so shoppers can be aware of the dangers of spreading the killer disease.
‘Someone infected by the coronavirus, can cough and walk away, but then leave behind extremely small aerosol particles carrying the coronavirus. These particles could then end up in the respiratory tract of others in the vicinity,’ says Aalto University Assistant Professor Ville Vuorinen.
Scientists in Finaldn say Covid-19 germs from a cough can spread across two shopping aisles
- Britain’s lockdown is expected to last for weeks to come as Covid-19 cases rise
- There have been 60,773 recorded cases across Britain and 7,097 deaths so far
- Boris Johnson spent his third night in intensive care in London last night
- The Prime Minister is said to be sitting up and his condition is improving
- People are being urged to stay indoors during the warm Easter weekend
- It comes after people were spotted sunbathing and visiting beaches last week
Finnish research centres created the animation by modelling a scenario where a person coughs in an aisle between supermarket shelves.
Taking into account factors like in-store ventilation, experts from Aalto University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Finnish Meteorological Institute each carried out the modelling independently, using the same starting conditions.
A statement from Aalto University said: ‘The researchers obtained the same preliminary result: in the situation under investigation, the aerosol cloud spreads outside the immediate vicinity of the coughing person and dilutes in the process.’
Scientists involved in the research were working at Aalto University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Jussi Sane, chief specialist at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, said: ‘The preliminary results obtained by the consortium highlight the importance of our recommendations.
‘The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends that you stay at home if you are unwell and that you maintain physical distance with everyone. The instructions also include coughing into your sleeve or a tissue and taking care of good hand hygiene.‘
Even in ventilated shops, germs can linger for up to two minutes, according to Aalto University’s research
‘Based on the modelling of the consortium, it is not yet possible to directly issue new recommendations. However, these results are an important part of the whole, and they should be compared with the data from real-life epidemic studies.’
Supermarkets in Britain have been urging customers to stay two metres apart while walking down aisles, with long queues seen in car parks around the country as staff limit the amount of shoppers entering the store at any given time.
Most other shops have been closed as Britain looks set to remain in lockdown for weeks to come.
Some pressure has been lifted on supermarkets, with Sainsbury’s lifting a three-item cap on most of its products yesterday.
Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe wrote to customers today to say: ‘You wrote to tell me that product limits were a barrier to being able to shop for other people.
‘We understand that it can be difficult to buy what you need and shop for someone else with the 3 item product limit. We have now lifted buying restrictions on thousands of products and hope that this will help more of you to shop for others.’
Side by side: Susanna presented last Thursday’s edition of Good Morning Britain alongside co-host Ben Shepherd, when she spoke about a jogger coughing and spitting near her
Last week Susanna Reid shared how a jogger spat in her direction while out on her daily exercise allowance.
The Good Morning Britain was returning to the programme after spending two weeks self-isolating.
She recalled: ‘When I went out walking the other day, a runner ran past me and then coughed and then spat’
Asking for advice from Doctor Hilary, she added: ‘It is normal for runners to do that in normal situations. It is not particularly pleasant. Surely right now, it is spreading the virus?’
Actively discouraging the practice of spitting while jogging, he advised: ‘When you are running you produce more saliva and you do see runners spit the saliva away.
‘Of course it is coming from the mouth and throat and potentially if you are carrying the virus the virus would exist on the ground or wherever for unto a few hours.
‘It is not a nice habit and something to be discouraged but it is not a major threat.’